About .dat files and textures

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Some stuff I don't understand:
When u insert a new subskin into the textures\normal folder, does the game ignore the texture file in the .dat files and load from the tex folder instead? In the stock game there is now skin textures in the tex\normal folder at all, only in the tex\low folder.
Would really appreciate a small explanation if anyone know and would mind!
Thx
Bracer